Cal Fire put all of its crews on high alert Wednesday when lightning touched off nearly two-dozen small fires across Amador, El Dorado and Calaveras counties.

"This year we have seen a significant increase in lightning-sparked fires in California," said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. "With the already tinder-dry conditions, this lightning storm system has elevated the fire danger even higher for this week."

Cal Fire staffed its reserve fire engines, placed additional inmate crews on 24-hour standby and held all personnel on duty.

Cal Fire urged residents to be extra cautious in late afternoons and during breezy periods to prevent sparking human-caused fires.

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